A residents’ organisation has accused West Dunbartonshire Council’s Labour administration of misrepresenting their views on a five percent rent rise for local authority tenants.
At a full meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council last week, members agreed to a five percent rent rise – equating to an average rise of £4.22 per week – to help the cash strapped local authority as it attempts to balance the books, with a four percent increase initially recommended by council officials.
A motion introduced by Labour’s housing convenor, Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, said: “Council agrees with the recommendations in the report but with an important difference. After consultation with the WDTRO (West Dunbartonshire Tenants and Residents’ Organisation) to increase weekly rent, pitch rent at the Gypsy travellers site, and lock-up rents by five percent.”
A consultation with residents included two options, with 52.9 percent supporting a four percent increase in rents; while 47.1 percent supported a five percent increase.
The difference in the average weekly rent between the two options was 84 pence, with members agreeing to a five percent rise to increase investment in council housing.
However WDTRO secretary Harry McCormack wrote to all councillors following the meeting, saying he believed their views had been misrepresented.
In his letter Mr McCormack said: “West Dunbartonshire Tenant and Residents Organisation (WDTRO) want to make clear our position on the council’s decision to vote on a five percent rent increase for financial year 2023/24.
“The paragraph makes reference that WDTRO agreed for the council to take this option. This is not the case.
“We, as an organisation, agreed and recommended the public consultation outcome where a 51 percent majority preferred the four percent rise option out of the two available.
“WDTRO are aware of the financial constraints that the council tenants are already under during the current cost of living crisis and that our decision for that option is based on this.”
Labour say £50million is set to be invested in social housing, with WDC’s administration determined to drive out damp and mould problems and find more accommodation for larger families.
The funding, invested over the next five years, will maintain all current services that tenants receive, continue the new build housing programme and deliver investment in existing homes.
A tenant priority budget –which allows tenants to spend directly on community improvements – of £800,000 will also be retained, whilst a fund of £565,000 has been set aside for direct financial assistance to support the most disadvantaged tenants over the course of the next year.
Councillors say that the increase will ensure the local authority can drive forward a raft of improvements to existing stock, provide additional homes to meet demand and ensure comprehensive support is in place for any person who finds themselves at risk of becoming homeless.
Funding will also be used for building additional new sustainable housing that is energy efficient and adaptable for tenants with medical needs.
A total of £10m is also set to be invested in the local authority’s buyback programme to purchase additional housing on the local market to address identified needs, and increase choice for large families.
Hitting back, council leader Martin Rooney said that members were clear in what was being voted on - and knew the views of tenants.
The Labour leader said: “Councillors were clear that tenants and WDTRO were consulted on two options as part of the rent setting exercise, and that the majority supported a four percent increase which was reflected in the administration motion.
“We are committed to investing in housing to develop more new, modern, energy efficient homes for our residents and our motion which was subsequently agreed proposed a five percent increase in order to provide the £50m investment needed over the next five years.”
Slamming the administration, SNP councillor Jonathan McColl said: “Not only did Labour fail to consult on the main council budget, but they ignored the result of the tenants’ consultation on the housing budget.
“We now also know that they misled council by trying to claim that the West Dunbartonshire Tenants and Residents’ Organisation were supportive of them ignoring the consultation.
“I’ve never, in my 16 years as a councillor, seen such underhanded tactics used by a council administration.
“Acting in such an anti-democratic manner misleading the council and the public, and ignoring voters’ views to push through devastating cuts and massive rent increases is immoral.
“Labour’s betrayal of our citizens will not soon be forgotten.”
A WDC spokeswoman said that feedback received as part of the rent consultation was considered by elected members.
She added: “As part of the rent setting process, tenants and tenant representative organisations were given the opportunity to submit feedback.”
